Cessnock City Hornets FC is a semi-professional soccer club based in Cessnock, New South Wales. The Hornets currently compete in the

Northern NSW State League Division 1 The Northern NSW State League Division 1 (known as the HIT Northern League One for sponsorship reasons) is a regional Australian semi-professional association football league comprising teams from New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map ...

with teams in First Grade, Reserve Grade, Under 18, Under 16, Under 15, Under 14 and Under 13 divisions. Northern NSW State League Division 1 is the 2nd tier of Football in

Northern New South Wales Football Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) is the governing body of soccer in the north of New South Wales, Australia. It is a member of the national governing body, Football Australia. The Federation was established the 9 September 1884 as the Northern Dist ...

below the

National Premier Leagues Northern NSW The National Premier Leagues Northern NSW is a regional Australian Professional association football league comprising teams from Northern New South Wales. As a subdivision of the National Premier Leagues, the league sits at Level 1 on the Nort ...

History

Over the years, doubt has been expressed about the birth of soccer in Cessnock. To get down to the basic truths, Sid Grant, a well known historian, undertook a detailed research including personal interviews with old Bob Harden (ex-West Wallsend skipper), Tom Rennex, ‘G ‘Tup’’ Rennex, Alf Brunskill, Alec Renfrew and others. But the truth of this problem came out when a former Secretary of the NDBFA, Mr George Reay of Dudley, presented Sid with both the official minute book and registrar of players book for the period 1902–1911. This indicated clearly that soccer started in Cessnock in April 1907. A group of 15 sportsmen met on a vacant allotment just south of the Cessnock railway station. Many of these enthusiasts were recent arrivals from Minmi, West Wallsend, Greta and Stockton. The first ground was a large vacant area near where the Aberdare Park was established 15 years later. 2007 saw Cessnock celebrate 100 years of football.

Home ground

Cessnock play their home games at the Hornets Ground, Turner Park Complex, Aberdare Road, Aberdare.

Rivalries

Cessnock City Hornets' biggest rival is Weston Workers Bears FC. The Hornets also have a big local rivalry with Singleton Strikers.

Honours

* NNSW Division Two/HIT Northern League One Premiers: :: 1977, 1988, 1992 * NNSW Division Two/HIT Northern League One Champions: :: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993

Notable former players

Cessnock has had many players go on to represent Australia at a junior and senior level, including: * Cliff Almond * John Barr * Les Brown * Jack Drinkwater * Jack Evans * Jim Harden * Lo Hearne * Eddie Hodge * Jack Lennard * Perce Lennard * William Lonergan * Roy McNaughton * Amber Neilson * Kevin O'Neill * Jim Orr * Greg Owens * Phil Peters * John Pettigrew * Alec Purdon * John Roberts * George Rowe * George Russell * Lorisssa Stevens * Jack Taylor * Cec Williams * Ern Williams *

Clayton Zane Clayton Zane (born 12 July 1977) is an Australian association football coach and former player, who played as a striker. In the 2001 season, he was the top scorer and awarded the Kniksen award as Striker of the Year in Norway. He earned 14 cap ...

References

{{Soccer in New South Wales Association football clubs established in 1907 Soccer clubs in New South Wales 1907 establishments in Australia